It is time to reset your clocks! This year, Daylight Savings Time officially ends on Sunday, November 6, 2011 when clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m.
After turning the clocks back one hour, spend part of the hour gained to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
Test those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors also for that monthly test.
In 2010, there were 1,331,500 fires, resulting in 3,120 deaths and 17,720 injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration
The USFA notes, "One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a ‘Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm.’ A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire."
The recommendation is to install the alarms everywhere they are needed and to keep them maintained. At the very least, there should be a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Good places for alarms are near dens, living rooms, and family rooms.
As a minimum, one smoke detector is required on each level of the home, including the basement. One smoke detector must be outside the bedrooms. If the home has bedrooms on more than one level, one smoke detector is required outside of each area.
Keep detectors away from windows, doors, or forced air registers.
Detectors should be tested at least monthly, and if you can do so check them weekly by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Replace any smoke detectors in the home that are 8 to 10 years old with new ones. Batteries should be changed twice a year and it has become common practice to do this when we change the clocks to daylight savings time and then back to standard time, which occurs this Nov. 6.
It simple, the only good smoke detector is one that works. BEEP-BEEP-BEEP A Sound You Can Live With! Learn Not To Burn, Be Fire Safe!
